Game



Much 17. 1925.- 1,529,987

w. R. Bum-:Rv ET AL f GAME Original Filed April 24, 1920 2 Sheets 5heet2 PLBIII mm Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED srarsa PATE 1,529,987 'r orifice. N

wiNrInLn n. Birnen, or caminamos, irassacnusnr'rs, AND enel-ien c,runinstioiv,

or rom" FAInFIELD, MAINE. I

GAME.

vApplication le'd April 24, 1920, SerialNo. 376,199. Renewed July 1'?,`1924.

To all 'whomzt mag/concern.' i

Be it known that we, lViNrinLD R. Burnin and Gnonen C. FURINGTON,citizens of the United States, residing at 15 Brattle Street, Cambridge,county of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Fort Fairfield,county of Aroostook, State of Maine, re-

spectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games and particularly to a mathematical gameinvolving computation in the moves in such a manner as to stimulate boththe knowledge of and practice in certain branches of mathematics.

In games of an educational nature the necessity of sustained interest isvery great as any lag in the sport of the play relegates 'the matter toone of task and the game -such games are carried on and one well adaptedto impart rapid and accurate cal-y culation in both algebra andarithmetic.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is 'a game board and play pieces.

Figs. II, III, and IV are diagrammatic representations of fragments of acharacteristic game in progress, and

Fig. V a representative score.

Fig. VI is a table of code values.

The apparatus comprises a tartan or plaided field A, preferably a squaresubdivided into 10() units a.. Opposite'sides of the field A constituteBorders or bases B in which are set down different values or factorsopposite adjacent squares.

The pieces C are of disc or other suitable form and bear on their facescharacters. These may be numerals or letters according as the play is tobe of arithmetical or algebraio nature or may be both on opposite orcombined faces.

The Scots or pieces C are two groups or clans each of characteristiccolor as for eX- ample Clan Bruce of characteristic red and ClanElison-of blue, it being sufficient for `the purposes of thisapplication to refer to the group of each player as reds `or blues. Thepieces C each bear a value designation, letters or numbers, whichconstitute the factor of multiplication, addition, etc. of thecomputation ofthe play. j

Each group, ige. reds or blues is preferably subdivided asshown in Fig.I into two or more groups of the same value des-j. ignation and thedesignation of both are preferablysimilar so as to compel addition ormultiplication. Forexample, if there are twosets of men on each sidedesignated a and two b, there will be developed in ordinary play scorepoints of a2 value or b2 value as well as those of ab value, etc. Alsothese values will frequently double or treble giving consolidated scoreitems of 2a? or 362.

Referring to Fig. II it willbe seen that the Red Scot or piece having avalue character a has jumped from its initial` position indicated inbroken lines over the Blue Scot or piece having a value character b Ygiving the resultant product ab.. This would be set'down in the redcolumn. In Fig. III a red player value c has jumped a Blue Scot a givinga play product ac. In Fig. IV a red man value c has jumped a blue man ofcharacter c giving a play product -of c2. 1

`Along the border or base of each side adjacent check squares areassigned values which may be numbers or symbols.v In the drawings wehave shown numbers which We prefer for present purposes.

In the use of the apparatus shown the Scots or play pieces C are linedup on the two rows of squares adjacent to each border.

As shown the pieces lettered a to e inclusive are arranged in that orderin two rows. In play, however, the order may be varied `at will.y Eachplayer assigns to the symbols of his pieces numericalvalues. Thesevalues may be announced or may be kept secret -fill the score iscomputed. Values may be either plus or minus. This stimulates theclosest observation of an opponents play and a mental estimate of themathematics of his strategy. The apparent careless exposingof a piece toattack may lead the enemy to guess its minus value and counter it with aminus piece thereby giving a plus value `to the product or score item ofthe move.

The` pieces are preferably moved diagonally along the diagonal lines ofthe overplaid E. Pieces are jumped or moved to the square or check nextbeyond that occupied by the enemy piece diagoiially next in front of it.

Any pieeereaching the border or goal line is rewarded by having itsvalue character multiplied bythe value of the border square and the sameadded to the score.

The apparatus preferably includes a score space or board having separatecolumns divided by equation marks so that the productl of the jump itemsmay be set down in a column and after cancellation or consolidation thenunierical values may be assigned and the score footed.

`While we have indicated as a preferred form pieces having alphabeticalcharacters for algebraic play, it will be readily understood thatmultiplication or addition of numbers might be desired childrem Allsuchy modifications of characters, values, field or pieces are inaccordance with our invention if within the limits of the appendedclaims.

lVhat we therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a mathematical game apparatus7 aboard having va -eld ofplaysub-divided into a plurality of adjoining-units, the marginal unitsof opposite sides of saidfield having different values, and two sets ofplay pieces, the pieces of each set-having dillerent arbitrarilyselected numerical values,

2. In a mathematical game apparatus, a board having a. rectangular iieldof play symmetrically divided into uniform posi vith younger tion.squares, the marginal row of squares on each side. being of dilferentvalue characters, and two sets of play pieces, the pieces of each sethaving different arbitrarily selected numerical values.

l 3. In a mathematical game apparatus, a board having a rect-angularfield of play symmetrically divided into uniform position squares, themarginal row of squares on nach side being of different mathematicalfactors, and two sets of playpieces, the pieces of each. set havingdifferent mathematical factors.

4f. A mathematical l game comprising an area of playand opposing playpieces of different arbitrarily selected numerical valuesl adapted to bemoved in intersecting paths in said area ofiplay, and each havingcharacters providing varying mathematical computations on the occasionof the intersecting meetings of opposing pieces.

5. A mathematical game comprising an area of play including positions ofindicated values, and opposing play pieces of different arbitrarilyselected numerical values adapted to be moved in intersecting paths insaid area. of play and each having characters providing varyingmathematical computations on the occasion of the intersecting meetingsof opposing pieces.

In testimony whereof we alii-X our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

VINFIELD R. BUKER. lGrlllOIlGrE C. PURNGTON.

lati tnesses Vioroum LowxniN, MARION F. lVmss.

